With internet service providers (ISPs) large and small, and hundreds of broadband packages available for home and business, it can be hard to know where to start.

Even if you’ve been signed up to broadband for years you’ll find new internet providers and broadband packages, cheaper deals, and more extras.

But a decision to get broadband (or get a new broadband deal) could be one of the best you make – with some thinking ahead you can get broadband that works for you, your family or your business.  

Get the broadband package you want… 10 tips

1.    Check your speed
If you have broadband already but you’re not happy with it, check your broadband speed – the broadband “up to” speed of your broadband package, and the actual speed using a broadband speed test.



You may be on an older, slower package. You can either look for a new broadband package (check to see if you need to pay any cancellation charges) or if you’re happy with the internet provider you get broadband from, call them up and ask about an upgrade – some providers will offer a faster deal at a good price if you say you are considering switching to another broadband provider.

2.  What do you want your broadband for?
Think about what you want to get from your broadband – is it for home or business? Do you use the internet for some emailing and doing your online Tesco order or do you need to get broadband that is robust enough for your kids’ heavy gaming and peer-to-peer programmes? Or does your business need fast uploads speeds so you can maintain your own website?

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Use our broadband availability checker. Find out broadband packages you can get in your area. Don’t forget to select Home or Business.

4.    Do you want a bundle?
Decide if you want to get broadband on its own or get broadband with phone, or with phone and TV. There are lots of bundle offers (select Bundles on when you use our checker). Or get broadband, TV and phone from cable Internet provider Virgin Media, Sky, or Tiscali. But do think about whether a bundle is right for you – look at who you phone now, and what your monthly phone costs are, and do the same with your current broadband package if you have one.

5.    Broadband only? Choose your broadband package
If you want to make a decision based on speed, price, broadband type or provider then simply use the dropdown filter, which is top right on your broadband search results page. Otherwise you can click on the More button to get broadband package information, or click on Full Details (top of your results page) to get all your broadband package results on one long page. Many packages include information from the internet provider on who the package is most suitable for.

If you want to get business broadband, check out our business broadband area with suggestions for which business broadband packages are suitable by business size or need.

6.    Check out the extras
Don’t forget to look at extras you get with your broadband - these could range from a free month, or a free wireless modem to a laptop or PS3.



7.   Take a trial!
If you’re still nervous, look out for free trials you can get with some broadband packages.

8.    Get a MAC
If you currently have broadband via your phone line (ie not cable) and you are switching broadband provider, call up your current provider and ask for a MAC, which you will need to give to your new provider. It means they manage the changeover with your previous provider with little or no interruption to your broadband service – find out more about switching with a MAC.

9.    Buy your broadband package
Chosen your package? Click on the Buy button on the package information page to visit the internet provider’s website where you can check out terms and conditions for the broadband package you want to get. You can sign up to get your chosen broadband package on the provider site – if you are switching they’ll ask for your MAC during the process.

10.    Now all you have to do is wait for connection
Once you have signed up and your order has been processed, the internet provider should send you everything you need to get going within a few days. Your broadband providers’ website should give details on how long this is likely to take.

Check out our FAQs 

Do you want to know more about broadband in general to help you choose your broadband provider? Are you looking for a definition of contention ratios or an explanation of satellite broadband, cable broadband (sometimes known as cable modem broadband), wireless broadband or ADSL? Then check out our UK Broadband Finder FAQs.

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